Decking beam rack apparatus and method

BACKGROUND

0001For shipping freight by land, sea or air, it is usually desirable to maximize the density of packing, within the available cargo space and the load carrying ability of the transporter. But packing density also may be limited by the nature of the materials themselves or the nature of the packaging of the materials being shipped. Otherwise materials or packaging can be crushed.

0002To address this issue in transporters such as trailers for hauling over land and in ocean shipping containers and, possibly, in air freight planes, they are equipped with horizontal and/or vertical slotted tracks on the inside surfaces of facing walls of the cargo space. These slots are used to receive ends of decking beams extending across the space between the walls of the trailer or container.

0003Decking beams, sometimes referred to as load bars, load beams, logistics bars or logistic beams, for example, are optional equipment; they are not part of a trailer or container. They may be the property of the carrier or the property of the shipper. Usually decking beams are in the form of a tube or a bar, usually made of aluminum or steel, with an end piece “footer” extendable at each end and which has a hook or some other connector which can be fitted in the slots in the tracks at facing walls in the cargo compartment. An example of a decking beam and installation more than thirty years ago, can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,174. A more recent system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,667 issued Aug. 24, 1999. The beams may be mounted at selectable heights to best accommodate the nature and size of the cargo to be transported, to minimize or eliminate stacking of packages or pallets of cargo. The beams are spaced along the length of the cargo space at locations appropriate for the cargo to be supported. Their function is to increase load capacity of the transporter without excessive stacking of cargo.

0004Decking beams are produced by several manufacturers. The dimensions of a decking beam are approximately 2.5″×4″×94″ when the “footers” at opposite ends are retracted. The weight of a decking beam is approximately thirty pounds each. They must be manually set in place during the loading process and manually removed during the unloading process. We believe it would be advantageous to have the beams conveniently stored in a rack that can be moved along a loading dock or from door to door in a warehouse, to be in close proximity to the site of loading or unloading a trailer or container. In addition, many loads that utilize decking beams are one-way moves. In such cases, if the trailer is to return empty to the point of origin, it may be necessary that the beams go along with it, for re-use without being actually used during the return trip. Return trips without loads are not productive. There is a need for better management of decking beams. The present invention is directed to meeting this need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0005<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a top view of one embodiment of a new decking beam rack.

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side view thereof.

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an end view thereof.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a side view thereof, loaded with decking beams.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an end view thereof, loaded with decking beams.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a side view of two decking beam racks of another new decking beam rack, with one of the two racks stacked on the other of the two racks and without any decking beams on the racks.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the upper rack taken at line <b>7</b>-<b>7</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is an enlarged top view of a fragment of a bottom rail socket location as viewed (without post <b>47</b>) at line <b>8</b>-<b>8</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is an end view of the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and without any decking beams on it and some posts stored within it.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is view of an end panel removed from the rack.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a top view of the decking beam rack showing some decking beams of a first layer resting on the top frame of the rack but not yet lined up; and showing schematically, an example of fork-lift truck access at an end and at a side of the rack.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a top view with the decking beams on the rack and showing lifting forks at both ends of the rack, and side posts stored beside the fork receiver opening in one end as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a view like <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> but showing a section through a solid socket welded into a frame side member.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a view similar to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> but without the beams and stored posts, but showing end panels stored on the upper frame above the areas where the posts can be stored inside as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a schematic illustration of a wireless rack-tracking system.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a schematic illustration of a wireless decking-beam identifying system.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is an isometric view of a portion of a rack according to a third embodiment.

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a top plan view of the rack of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a side elevation view of the rack of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is an enlarged elevation view of an end post for the rack of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG.17</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

0025An embodiment of an aspect of the present invention includes a decking beam rack used to organize, store, protect, and ship decking beams when they are not in use.

0026Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-4</figref>, the decking beam rack includes a rectangular frame <b>11</b>, with legs <b>12</b> providing some support for the frame <b>11</b> at a height about four inches above some surface such as a loading dock or warehouse floor. The four legs <b>12</b> have stacking cups <b>13</b> at their lower ends and which have downwardly-opening cavities <b>13</b>C in them. Runners or skids <b>14</b> are fixed to the frame <b>11</b> at the ends and at the stacking cups. Braces <b>15</b> are secured to the runners and frame between the end of the frame and the legs. The upturned front face <b>14</b>F of the runners is useful to serve as a bumper. The legs, cups, runners and braces provide lower framework supporting the frame <b>11</b>.

0027Intermediate posts <b>16</b> are pinned at <b>17</b> to the upper ends of the legs to enable pivoting the posts downward in the direction of the arrows <b>18</b> when the rack is empty and collapsed for stacking of racks in temporary storage. This feature can also be used when decking beams are being loaded onto or unloaded from either side of the rack.

0028End panels <b>19</b> are provided at each end of the rack. Each of them has a set of vertically spaced horizontal bars <b>21</b> mounted in a pair of posts <b>22</b> mounted in the upstanding sockets <b>23</b> in the frame ends. These panels can be removed by simply pulling the posts out of the sockets. Then the panels can be laid on the frame when the posts <b>16</b> are folded down to collapse the rack. Or, the end panels can be hinged like the posts <b>16</b> to fold down to be in the same horizontal plane as the intermediate posts for convenient stacking of empty racks on each other to store at the manufacturer's site for shipment from the manufacturer to a customer, and at any other time when the racks might not be in use.

0029The tops of the posts <b>16</b> are tapered, preferably in a frusto-pyramidal shape at <b>16</b>C, to receive the stacking cups of another rack mounted above the one as shown in the dotted lines in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. This feature is useful when the racks are loaded with decking beams and waiting in a warehouse, loading dock, or in a transport trailer or container, or in transit from an origin to a destination.

0030Considering the size and shape of the rack, expected to be approximately 48 inches wide, 32 inches tall if to be stacked three high in a truck, or 48 inches high if to be stacked two high, and 98 inches long in one model, or 104 inches long in another, to hold about eighty decking beams, provision is made for easy movement and control of it by a fork-lift vehicle. This includes a fork receiver <b>24</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) near each end of the frame and which includes a generally U-shaped guide <b>25</b> with a center guide rail <b>26</b>, all fixed to frame cross-members such as <b>27</b> at the end, and <b>28</b> spaced from the end. The racks can be stacked as indicated by the dotted lines in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

0031Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6 through 14</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows another embodiment of decking beam racks. Rack <b>31</b> is on the floor <b>32</b>, and rack <b>33</b> is supported by rack <b>31</b>. Rack <b>31</b> is almost identical to rack <b>33</b> so a description of rack <b>31</b> will suffice for both. The rack has an upper frame <b>34</b> comprising upper side rails <b>36</b> and upper end rails <b>37</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>). It also has four cross members <b>38</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6</figref>, <b>11</b> and <b>12</b>) welded to the side members. There is also bottom framework extending from both ends of the rack toward the center. There are two end box frames <b>41</b>. A description of one will suffice for both. It includes bottom rails <b>42</b>, one at each side of the rack, with tying cross members <b>43</b> at locations directly under the cross members <b>38</b> of the upper frame. An arm <b>44</b> is fixed to and extends upward from each of the rails <b>42</b> at the ends of the rack and supports the end rail <b>37</b> of the upper frame. A lower end rail <b>46</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6 and 9</figref>) extends across the frame between the junctions of side rails <b>42</b> and columns <b>44</b>.

0032Intermediate removable posts <b>47</b> are provided at four locations on the rack. These posts are tubes of rectangular cross section and are received through holes <b>50</b> at four locations in the frame side members <b>36</b>. The same type of construction is provided for the upper frame side members <b>49</b> of the upper rack. The upper and lower ends of each of the posts are frusto-pyramidal shaped and received in sockets of the same shape in the rails <b>42</b> of the rack <b>31</b>. The detail of this feature is best shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref>, showing the detail of one of the sockets in the lower side rail <b>48</b> of the upper beam rack <b>33</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. With the lower and upper side rails <b>48</b> and <b>49</b>, respectively of the upper rack, both of which are of rectangular tube cross section, the hole in the upper rail <b>49</b> is large enough for the post <b>47</b> to slide through the hole. The frusto-pyramidal lower end <b>52</b> of the post is received in the similarly-shaped socket upper wall <b>53</b>. The tapers between the socket wall and the post wall are of a non-locking wedge such that, when desired to remove the post, it can be removed from the socket for storage, but when needed to be stable in the socket it will be sufficiently tight to confine beams stacked (as in the <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> embodiment) and support the load of an upper rack of beams on the upper end of such post. Thus, while it is a stable wedge connection, it is not locking.

0033The ends of all the posts are shaped alike so that the posts can be used with either end serving to be stable in a socket in which it is received, whether it is in the lower one of the two racks or in the upper one of the two racks or in more racks if needed for storing beams in multiple superimposed (stacked) racks.

0034Referring further to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7</figref>, <b>8</b> and <b>13</b>, the socket detail at <b>53</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> can be a formed-in piece welded or otherwise secured in the tube <b>48</b> with an opening <b>56</b> between the lower end of the post <b>47</b> above it and the upper end of the post <b>47</b> below it. Other construction may also be used. An example is in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> where a solid block <b>57</b> having upper and lower post receiver cavities <b>58</b> and <b>59</b>, respectively, are formed in it to receive the lower end of an upper post and the upper end of the lower post. This block <b>57</b> may be an insert slid into place from one end of the rail <b>42</b> for the lower rack (<b>48</b> for the upper rack) and welded in place aligned with openings <b>61</b> and <b>62</b> provided in the upper face and lower face of the rail <b>48</b>, respectively, and, the block <b>57</b> welded in place in the tubing. One alternative to that assembly style is to cut the tube <b>42</b> and weld the block between the cut ends of the tube <b>42</b>. Other means of providing a socket may also be devised. While the upwardly opening and downwardly opening sockets are intended to have interfitting tapers with the tapers of the posts <b>47</b>, they are not intended to be interlocking. Therefore, while the connections of the posts to the sockets make the posts immovable longitudinally or laterally of the rails <b>42</b> and <b>48</b>, the posts can be readily pulled vertically from the sockets to facilitate removal from the racks and storage of the posts between the top and bottom frame cross members of a rack as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

0035As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, there is provided room for storage of four of the intermediate posts <b>47</b> between the top frame cross members <b>38</b> and the bottom frame cross members <b>43</b> and <b>46</b>, at each end of the frame. For this embodiment of the rack, a lift-fork receiver tube is provided in each by the upper frame cross members and lower frame cross members and side guides <b>63</b> and <b>64</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>) so, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the lifting forks <b>66</b> and <b>67</b> of the fork-lift truck <b>68</b> can enter in the direction of arrow <b>69</b> and pick up a rack empty or loaded with decking beams <b>71</b>, for example, and move it across a storage yard, a loading dock or floor of a warehouse or into or out of a semi-trailer, for example. Similarly, a fork receiver <b>70</b> can also be provided in the same way at the opposite end of the rack.

0036Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, there is shown an option in that the bottom side rails <b>42</b> of the lower rack, end at intermediate cross members <b>43</b>, but the lower side rails <b>48</b> of the upper rack are continuous. Entry of lift forks from either side or end of the racks is indicated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11 and 12</figref>. The space <b>72</b> between cross members <b>43</b> at the bottom frame portions <b>41</b> of the lower rack provides more vertical space for entry of the lift forks to engage the bottom of the upper frame rail <b>36</b> and either intermediate rail <b>39</b> or <b>40</b> on either side of the rack. Lift fork entry at the sides of both <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> versions, of the rack is ample. Similarly, either version of the rack can be used as the bottom rack in a stack of racks loaded with beams.

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is an illustration of the end panel <b>74</b> which is constructed in essentially the same manner as that shown in <b>17</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. It has end posts <b>76</b> which can be constructed as are intermediate posts <b>47</b> and received in sockets <b>77</b> in four corners of the upper frame. The sockets <b>77</b> are provided only in the upwardly opening direction and are otherwise similar to those provided as shown <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7</figref>, <b>8</b> and <b>13</b>. Crossbars <b>78</b> are vertically spaced along the end posts <b>76</b>.

0038For use of the rack for storage of decking beams, they may be placed on the rack by hand or by machine and extend the length of the rack. The intermediate posts can be placed in the sockets on the rack whenever desired by the loaders. Similarly, the end frames <b>74</b> may also be installed at the preference of the loaders to retain the beams when in place between the end frames when the rack is moved forward or backward.

0039If, and when, it is necessary to store the racks themselves without beams on them, the racks can be readily converted to a flat configuration and stored in stacks. For this purpose, the four intermediate posts <b>47</b> are pulled out of their sockets and all four can be inserted into the one end of the rack as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> or two can be inserted at each end. The opposite end portions of the posts are supported by lower frame cross members <b>46</b> and <b>43</b>. The end panels <b>74</b>, being flat, can be placed flat on top of the cross members <b>38</b> and end members <b>37</b> in the top of the frame. Therefore, as an example, if the assembly of one rack erected with the intermediate posts <b>47</b> and end panels <b>74</b> installed, is <b>30</b> inches, but the total height of just bottom frame <b>42</b> and top frame <b>36</b> is about six inches, the storage of the end panels <b>74</b> on top of the cross member <b>38</b> makes a total height of the rack when converted to storage, about eight inches. Therefore, numerous empty racks can be stacked in a reasonable area and height in a warehouse or transported from place to place in a semi-trailer or on a wagon.

0040In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, there is a schematic representation of a tractor, semi-trailer combination containing seven beam racks which do not have any beams on them. Each of such racks would have a unique identifier “R” (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) bearing a number or letter or other combination of features for identifying this rack and distinguishing it from all other decking beam racks. The identifiers can be useful in association with one or more satellites <b>86</b> of a global positioning system (GPS), or other wireless location determination system, to identify that rack in that trailer in transit, thus locating the rack relative to a control center <b>87</b>.

0041In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>, the schematic representation includes beams loaded on the racks in the semi-trailer <b>82</b>. Each beam <b>71</b> has a unique identifier device “B” (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) bearing a number or letter or other combination of features for identifying that beam and distinguishing it from all other beams. The identifiers can be useful in association with a wireless locating and identifying system such as mentioned above for finding and identifying not only the racks, but also for the beams as well.

0042A variety of technologies is available for such functions. A useful guideline for selection of equipment is that it be RFID (radio frequency identification devices) compatible. In addition to use of such a system for tracking and identifying while racks and/or beams are in transit, it can be useful at a control center <b>81</b> at a warehouse or some shipping terminal where beams <b>71</b> or racks, loaded or empty might be stored, for keeping an inventory, and for finding their particular locations as they are moved around in an area in which radio frequency identification devices (RFID) can be used.

0043In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17-20</figref>, a third embodiment of decking beam rack and components is shown. In this embodiment, a base <b>91</b> is provided with four post sockets in the corners. Viewing the rack in the direction of arrow <b>89</b>, there is a base <b>91</b>, a right-hand post <b>92</b>, a left-hand post <b>93</b>, and similar posts at the opposite end of the rack. For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>, a hole <b>94</b> extends from the bottom of the base to the top of the base at the end of the rack. The upper portion of this hole <b>94</b> is typically square in cross-section, and receives the bottom portion <b>97</b> of the post <b>92</b>. The post has a flange <b>98</b> which extends from the outer face of the post inwardly toward the center of the rack. This flange provides a slot <b>93</b>S which faces post <b>93</b> and receives an end panel <b>101</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>) closing the end of the rack. The post <b>93</b> is of construction like that of post <b>92</b> but with the slot facing the slot in post <b>92</b>. So it cooperates with post <b>92</b> in holding the panel <b>101</b> which can be raised out of the slot or installed in the slot, when desired.

0044The length of the rack between end panels <b>101</b> is great enough (about 98 inches) to contain decking beams useful in highway trailers operating in the United States. The end posts are about three inches square. Considering the fact that decking beams are made by numerous manufacturers, and are not always of exactly the same length, the end posts are each provided with a side extension panel such as <b>102</b> fixed to the post. These are about 3 inches wide. If decking beams a bit shorter than standard are encountered, these post extensions in the direction of arrow <b>89</b> will confine the beams to prevent them from falling off the sides of the rack. Since this embodiment of the rack is intended to be capable of supporting another fully loaded rack on top of it, a lower portion <b>103</b> of the socket <b>94</b> is a frusto-pyramidal shape to be received on the frusto-pyramidal top portion <b>104</b> of the post <b>92</b> under it. The lower ends of the flange <b>98</b> at <b>98</b>B, and of the extension panel <b>102</b> at <b>102</b>L rests on top of the base at <b>91</b>U supporting the post on the base. A stabilizer bar <b>106</b> has a hole <b>107</b> at each end of the bar. These holes are sized and shaped (usually square) to be received on the rectangular portion of the stem at the top of the posts to maintain a fixed spacing between the upper ends of the posts when another rack is mounted on this rack in a manner similar to that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> for the first embodiment of the invention, and in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> for the second embodiment of the invention. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, the end of the stabilizer bar serves as a collar resting on top of the post <b>92</b> and which is available to support the bottom <b>91</b>B of any rack that is stacked on top of this first rack.

0045The base of the rack has two longitudinally-extending channels, or tubes <b>109</b> (if desired) to receive the lifting forks of a fork-lift truck from either or both ends, if desired. Similarly, there are two transverse extending channels or tubes <b>111</b> to enable access of lifting forks for lifting of the rack from either side of the rack with a fork-lift truck.

0046After use of the rack for storing or transporting beams, the rack can be collapsed for convenient storage or transportation of the racks themselves if and when needed. For this purpose, the end panels <b>101</b> can be lifted out of their slots <b>93</b>S and placed flat on the central storage area <b>112</b>, fitting between the transverse ribs <b>113</b> on the base <b>91</b>. The ribs are high enough to fit both end panels <b>101</b> on top of each other between the ribs. Also, in order to prevent sliding of the stored panels off the sides of the rack, rails <b>114</b> are provided between the ribs <b>113</b> at each side of the rack. For storage of the stabilizer bars and end posts, there are compartments <b>116</b> extending inward from each end of the rack and having a door <b>117</b> at each end, closing the compartment. So two posts and one stabilizer bar can be stored in each of the compartments, from each end of the rack. If it happens that the overall length of the storage compartment <b>116</b> will not accommodate the approximately 44 inches length of the stabilizer bar, a hinge can be provided at <b>106</b>B to enable folding to fit in the storage compartment long with the posts whose overall length from end to end is typically more than 32 inches but less than 42 inches. As mentioned above, the overall cross-sectional dimension of the posts, excluding the flange <b>98</b> and extension panel <b>102</b>, is three inches by three inches. As mentioned above for the previously-described embodiments, the tapers on the posts and sockets are non-locking to avoid a jamming which could otherwise make it difficult to remove the upper rack from the lower one of a pair of stacked racks. It might be noted, particularly from viewing <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>, that the post <b>92</b> on the right-side of the rack at the left-end end is of the same configuration as the post on the left side of the rack on the opposite end. This feature accommodates the end panels <b>101</b> at each end of the rack. It also provide an effective side margin for containment of the beams on the rack at both ends so that, beams from various manufacturers and which may have some differences in manufacturing tolerance, will still be contained within the side margins defined by lines between the extension panels at each end of the rack.

0047For purposes of example but without limitation, the overall length L-<b>1</b> of a rack is preferably from 96 to 98 inches for use with beams used in trucks. It is 110 to 118 inches for transporting decking beams of a length useful in railway cars. The overall width W-<b>1</b> of the rack for use in trucks is preferably 48 inches, while the overall width of racks for use in railway cars is 50-54 inches. The distance D-<b>1</b> between the rails <b>113</b> for storage of the end panels <b>101</b> is preferably 32 inches to easily accommodate the height of the panel <b>101</b> from the top <b>91</b>U of the base and the top of the slot in the post. The overall height of the base <b>91</b> from the bottom <b>91</b>B to the top <b>91</b>U is about nine inches. While the majority of the material of construction of the base, the posts and the stabilizer bars is preferably fabricated steel plate, other materials may also be found suitable. A variety of materials may be used for the end panels <b>101</b>. Plywood, sheet metal, solid or perforated or “expanded” metal grating or other materials suitable for endwise location and retention of a load of beams can be used. Material having openings in it can be helpful for manually counting beams in a load, as is true of the other racks. Similarly to the other racks, unique rack identifying indicia such as “R” can be employed on this rack.

0048It can be seen that this rack is totally collapsible from its erect condition for storing and shipping decking beams, and stacking racks loaded with beams, to its collapsed condition for stacking empty racks on top of each other.

0049In summary, the decking beam racks disclosed above are storage and shipping devices to address the various problems mentioned above in dealing with decking beams.

0050The racks can be collapsed when not in use, for more efficient shipping and storage of empty racks.

0051The racks can be easily moved from either direction with a forklift truck.

0052The racks provide users of decking beams with a convenient and mobile storage unit in a warehouse environment and also may be handled with a standard size forklift for ease of loading into trailers, vans, or containers for efficient shipping of decking beams.

0053Because of the relatively uniform width of trailers and containers on public highways in the United States, decking beams are of relatively the same length and so the decking beam racks herein would be compatible to virtually all commercial trailers and containers.

0054The decking beam rack can be knocked down (for storage when not in use), or set-up for loading/unloading (of the beams in and out of the rack) or set-up for shipping (of the rack full of beams in and out of the trailer or container).

0055The decking beam rack will serve users of decking beams by providing:

00561. Protection from damage of the beams.

00572. Organization of beams into handle-able quantities.

00583. Mobility of beams inside the warehouse with a standard forklift.

00594. Efficient transport between warehouses on trailers or containers.

00605. Inventory control since beams may be counted from one end.

0061Various materials suitable for the racks are readily available. For example only, but without limiting choices, steel tubing of rectangular cross section or steel plate can be suitable. Examples of technology useful for wireless identification and location work can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,809, and Application No. US 2007/0040677. There are many others.